Chapter 96: Ideological Balance Point, Unlucky Garcia!

Having acquired the capital to survive and tasted the sweetness of power, Cheng Ye roughly understood why conflicting ideologies would erupt into fierce conflicts.Ultimately, it came down to the fact that when the cake of power and benefits was being divided, there would always be someone who felt they got too little.

What was even more subtle was that when people practiced their ideologies and encountered failure, the first thought that emerged was often not "the direction was wrong," but rather "there weren't enough resources."

It served as both an excuse and shackles.

"If I were to go independent in the future, which ideology should I adopt as a foundation?"

Walking toward Tianyuan Community, Cheng Ye swayed his head as he pondered.

The Transcendent faction definitely wouldn't work. That path of suppressing everything with power had already been eliminated by all shelter cities in the wasteland. Now only some scattered settlements still followed it, a seemingly efficient but actually deeply flawed inferior ideology.

Once the tone of "strength is supreme, whoever has the biggest fist has the loudest voice" was established, residents would spontaneously pursue power, the entire shelter city would become increasingly martial, and everyone would use any means necessary to climb up.

Just like the current inspection station, everyone wanted to become a transcendent, everyone didn't want to live a hard life.

But there always had to be people suffering at the bottom. They couldn't make new residents suffer as soon as they arrived, right?

That way, within a few days, the bottom layer would run away completely. Who would be willing to serve as slaves to transcendents?

Unless these transcendents were willing to go out and guard the gates, hold off the infected bodies, but was that possible?

The Technology faction wasn't bad, solidifying foundations and forming external influence, it sounded practical.

But there was still a big problem: how to ensure that developed resources wouldn't leak out?

Happiness City used "patent permits" and strict privilege restrictions to barely lock down resources, but this method also limited its own development speed.

Otherwise, once someone developed based on technology and raised their arms to rally others, they could take people and resources to start anew. The Technology faction's painstaking research would end up being wedding clothes for others.

As for the Idealist faction, it focused on belonging, seemingly the most heart-winning method in the wasteland, but it wasn't the right answer either.

Just like after the current infection tide, there were still countless people leaving.

Not to mention the Original Intent faction, that ideology of treating people like screws might have been sustainable when there was only one Happiness City, but now radio broadcasts were full of advertisements from other shelter cities, promising better lives.

Unless they broke everyone's legs, how could they stop people from pursuing a "beautiful life"?

"So it seems that these ideologies intertwining together, checking and promoting each other, is what allowed Happiness City to develop to today's scale?"

When reaching this conclusion, Cheng Ye's first reaction was that it seemed absurd.

Clearly contradictory ideologies that seemed to drag down shelter city development, how could they become the driving force for development?

But upon careful consideration, he had to acknowledge the logic within.

The Transcendent faction ensured the shelter city's combat power, while the Technology faction provided fundamental survival resources.

The Idealist faction was trying to bind hearts together, while the Original Intent faction actively blocked countless infected bodies.

The ideologies conflicted with each other, yet formed a subtle balance within that conflict, like a bumpy but ever-advancing carriage.

Perhaps the high-level elders allowing factional struggles weren't seeking the most suitable ideology, but rather the balance point that could maintain the optimal state.

"No wonder my appearance, linking communities, immediately gained the Idealist faction's favor."

"This is equivalent to two factions already merging, and I might be that balance point."

Cheng Ye pondered.

If he could rise to power with the Idealist faction's ideology while also gaining resource support from the inspection station, wouldn't this be equivalent to two ideologies fusing?

"Wait, if in the future I search for enough transcendent power and technological knowledge, gaining recognition and investment from the Transcendent and Technology factions, then wouldn't that be..."

An even bolder idea suddenly crashed into his mind.

If there was an inspector who could be simultaneously valued and invested in by all four factions, what would be the result?

It was a bit unthinkable.

If he continued thinking, he'd probably end up as the city lord of Happiness City.

Rumble.

A loud crash suddenly came from the direction of the pedestrian street, with a gray-black cloud of smoke and dust shooting into the sky.

The demolition project on the pedestrian street was progressing extremely fast. In just two or three days, one-fifth had already been torn down.

The old order was collapsing, and a new pattern was quietly forming.

"Sir!"

Just as he stepped into Area B-7, a resonant voice greeted him.

Second Dragon quickly ran over from the demolition crew, his face covered in dust but unable to hide his excitement, bowing to Cheng Ye, "You've arrived!"

"Tearing it down quite quickly."

Cheng Ye nodded, his gaze sweeping over the workers swinging sledgehammers, the dull thuds of hammer heads hitting broken walls rising and falling in succession.

"All thanks to you, sir!" Second Dragon immediately responded, his tone full of gratitude. "The garbage loading trucks from the Works Department are running faster than rabbits. Apart from meal breaks and lunch rests, they basically haven't stopped. They transport quickly, so we can demolish without worries, naturally the progress picks up."

Transporting the demolished building debris was a major problem.

From the pedestrian street to the designated dumping site in the buffer zone was over ten kilometers. Ordinary residents using manual wheelbarrows, even with thousands of people working all day, couldn't match the efficiency of a single dump truck.

Now with three dump trucks operating in cycles, this was the key to the explosive increase in demolition speed.

"How are the workers' wages being paid? I've been too busy these past few days to ask. Later I'll give you a contact, go to the Works Department to withdraw the budget from him. Don't hold back just because they're our own people, give them every cent they deserve!"

"Don't worry, sir, we don't need to touch the budget at all!"

Second Dragon smiled even more happily, as if he had completely emerged from Zhang Can's shadow.

Seeing Cheng Ye frown slightly, he quickly explained, "It's like this, the people who previously lived on the pedestrian street were all infected, and they left behind, well, inheritances. Those inheritances are quite substantial."

"Opening each room, we can basically find dozens to hundreds of coins, enough to pay wages. There are also weapons, ammunition and other hard currency. The steel bars, wooden boards, and glass we demolished have also been put to secondary use. Isn't the mall undergoing repairs these days? Many building materials were pulled from here, nothing was wasted."

"Additionally, we've found some curious items that I've specially collected for you, sir. Would you like to take a look?"

"Curious items?"

Cheng Ye smiled and waved his hand, "Let's talk about it after the demolition is complete. Keep anything you don't recognize, don't take it out to sell cheaply at street stalls."

"Yes! Second Dragon understands!"

Unlike Big Dragon's honesty and straightforwardness, Second Dragon was obviously more cunning, but that was also a good thing.

In such a large community, if everyone had the same pure nature as Big Dragon, that would be the real big trouble.

Now with both righteous and crafty types, as long as he controlled the general direction correctly, Tianyuan Community would only develop better and better.

After inspecting the community, Cheng Ye strolled over to the Works Department.

It had only been two days since he last stole electricity, so logically he should lay low for a while.

But who could blame the pedestrian street for progressing so quickly that he had to visit the Works Department to make it "reasonable."

Opening the panel.

Having charged for two days at the hospital, replenishing nearly 80 kilowatt-hours, his charge value had risen back to 31%.

This was enough for one Lv2 skill search, but still far from the 50% requirement for skill fusion.

Additionally, Cheng Ye's gaze fell on the skill column.

"I'm still learning Mobile Shooting, having mastered about 40%. At this pace, the skill slot will be occupied until at least mid-next month."

While talent enhancements were terrifyingly transformative, skill benefits were even higher.

Once learned and mastered, even if unloaded, 100% of the ability would be retained.

However, there were exceptions, like Wild Grass Physique. Unloading it would lose an important ability.

He had already tested that unloading would cause the talent's inherent energy absorption speed enhancement to disappear instantly.

So it also needed to permanently occupy a slot.

"As for Beast Instinct... it's basically useless to me now. I've already mastered killing intent and can completely replace thinking with instinct in combat."

"Besides, I can search for Tiger Force next, which is a more advanced skill."

Cheng Ye calculated the skill slot arrangements. He happened to have one slot free right now.

When training Wang Kang tonight, he'd search Miao Yang and start learning one of the Four Forces.

Considering Lv2 skills only had a 50% success rate, charging to 75% would give him full confidence.

Acting on his decision, compared to his previous caution and prudence.

Arriving at the charging station, Cheng Ye waited briefly and saw a bus drive in.

What a coincidence.

It was the same vehicle he had borrowed electricity from the day before yesterday.

"Let me help you charge. You should hurry back and check if anyone's stealing from your home!"

"You are..."

The middle-aged man getting off the bus was stunned. Seeing the badge that appeared in Cheng Ye's hand, his heart jumped.

In confusion, he handed over the keys and work card, walking out of the parking lot in a daze.

At the entrance.

"Old Zhang, what's your relationship with Inspector Cheng? You two seem quite familiar."

"Inspector Cheng?" Master Zhang suddenly stopped in his tracks, looking completely bewildered. "That was Inspector Sir?"

"Yeah, didn't you know?"

"I didn't know. He seemed familiar with me, but I..."

Master Zhang was confused, but saw Cheng Ye had already plugged in the charging gun and walked over, "The buffer zone isn't very safe right now. This master has some urgent business at home. Please look after him and don't make things difficult for him."

"Yes! Don't worry, Inspector Cheng!"

The guard immediately saluted with utmost respect.

"In-Inspector Cheng?" Master Zhang finally understood, his face showing both surprise and joy, unable to speak clearly.

"Work hard. The buffer zone's operation can't do without people like you who work diligently. But no matter how busy work gets, you must take care of home first. Once the rear is stable, you can charge forward with peace of mind."

He paused and added, "If you're bothered by harassment or don't feel safe where you live, you can go to Tianyuan Community and mention my name to move there. At least you can sleep soundly at night."

Leaving those words, Cheng Ye departed gracefully.

Master Zhang stood stunned in place, unable to come to his senses for a long time.

Those words "mention my name" still echoed in his ears, while his heart beat faster and faster.

He didn't dare think about connections with inspectors, but who didn't know that Area B-7 was the safest place in the buffer zone?

Being able to live there, Master Zhang suddenly clenched his fists, all his previous confusion turning into excitement!

His wife always complained about their unsafe living conditions, how the child was always scared awake at night by outside noises.

If they could really move to Tianyuan Community, even living in the most remote prefab house would be better than their current anxious situation!

"Let's go! We're packing up right now!"

Slightly turning his head, catching sight of Master Zhang almost running away in his peripheral vision, Cheng Ye's lips curved into a faint arc.

What people feared most was living in confusion, not knowing what they could or couldn't do.

Understanding factional conflicts and ideological disputes, he now played the buffer zone's rules with increasing clarity.

Since he had already become the Idealist faction's vanguard, he would ruthlessly use power to win hearts.

Even if outsiders knew, they wouldn't find it strange, but would think he was earnestly practicing his ideology.

When the buffer zone had his trusted associates in all walks of life and departments.

"When the Tianyuan power broker becomes the buffer zone power broker, that's when the power will be strong enough, far more impressive than the inspection station chief."

Going to the Works Department lobby, someone immediately came to serve him.

Soon, Engineer Liu arrived with blueprints for a second discussion about the pedestrian street's development.

"The previous plan needs to be changed. The medical restructuring is settled, I want to add a medical station to the pedestrian street."

Engineer Liu was stunned, "A medical station? We did receive notice from above about building a batch of community clinics in the buffer zone, about fifty square meters with a pharmacy?"

"Not enough!"

Cheng Ye shook his head, pointing to the originally planned shop locations, his finger tapping the center, "Build it here, three floors up and down, at least three hundred square meters per floor. The location must be prominent, so that all scavengers can see this medical station at first glance when they step into the pedestrian street."

"First floor for reception hall and pharmacy, second floor for wards, third floor reserved for research lab. Use reinforced concrete for walls, bulletproof glass for windows, and leave enough open space at the entrance for ambulance access in the future."

Engineer Liu's hand holding the pencil paused as he quickly calculated, "Changing this would mean the original shop planning has to be moved back, the foundation needs re-reinforcement, materials need to be increased by 30%... the budget might exceed quite a bit."

"I'll handle the budget issue. The planning must be laid down in advance."

Cheng Ye's eyes sharpened, "This medical station must be the landmark building of the pedestrian street. Build it to the highest specifications."

His few days at the medical facility had made him completely understand one thing.

What did wasteland people lack most?

They lacked life, lacked places that could save their lives!

If these people knew that entering this street would show them hope for survival, it would be more useful than any signboard, naturally forming waves of foot traffic.

"Understood, I'll redraw the plans immediately and guarantee construction according to your vision!"

Engineer Liu's attitude was satisfying.

Although in Cheng Ye's own view, he was like an unreasonable client who only knew how to make demands.

But construction in the wasteland was just like this, with no room for trial and error. It was better to make more changes before building than to tear down and rebuild after completion.

He waited until the collector's charge rose to 80% before finding an excuse to leave.

200 kilowatt-hours would take a full 4 days to charge at home, but here it only needed 1 hour and 40 minutes.

After plugging in the charging gun for Master Zhang's bus, he boarded the bus back to the medical facility.

"Really busy. These days feel busier than when I was on duty."

Cheng Ye couldn't help but sigh.

During duty, he just had to sit there, and his daily step count might not even reach a thousand.

But during these days when the inspection station was closed, his daily step count was at least over ten thousand, running non-stop.

Fortunately, both his personal strength and his subordinate forces were rapidly growing.

This was the essential condition for an inspector to establish himself in the buffer zone. Otherwise, at most he could only be considered a skilled worker.

In the current version of factional struggles, skilled workers were only qualified to gnaw the hardest bones and guard the most dangerous positions. Hardship and toil were routine.

As for enjoying fortune and getting more resource support, it was wishful thinking.

Returning to the medical facility.

Seeing him walking over from afar, the guard at the entrance took three steps in two strides, trotting over, "Inspector Cheng, Inspector Lin has been waiting for you for more than half an hour!"

"Which Inspector Lin?"

"Inspector Lin Bao, sir."

"Oh?"

Cheng Ye raised an eyebrow. The fifth-term inspector who hadn't appeared yesterday had indeed come today.

Going up to the fifth floor, there was indeed a burly man standing in the corridor.

What made him unable to keep his composure was that Lin Bao was apparently bored and was actually lecturing Garcia.

"Train! Keep training! You've been lying around for half a month and still staying in the hospital, waiting for retirement?"

"Not doing recovery training every day, just lying there, can lying there cure your illness?"

"The inspection station spends 200 points on medicine for you daily. In these two years, even when I risk my life on external missions, the profit I bring back is only three to five thousand points. You've used it all up in ten days, are you deliberately trying to bankrupt the station?"

"If training won't kill you today, then train yourself to death! Who spoiled you young inspectors into these bad habits?"

Being repeatedly scolded by the black-faced Lin Bao, Garcia was doing push-ups on the ground with a miserable expression.

Catching sight of the elevator doors opening and Cheng Ye walking out, a flash of excitement immediately appeared in his eyes.

But this excitement immediately turned to malice as Lin Bao turned around and greeted him with hearty laughter.

"Cheng boy, you're finally back, making me wait so long!"

Lin Bao strode forward, his voice carrying a hearty tone.

"You're more impressive than your father. Cheng Long never made me wait this long."

"Uncle Lin is joking. I went out to move around and handle some business. I can't just lie in bed all the time, right?"

"Well said!" Lin Bao smacked his lips, his gaze sweeping over Garcia on the ground, his tone full of disdain. "You're much better than this waste who only knows how to cause trouble and lie around spending the station's money every day. He should have been beaten to death by Liu Bi back then."

These few sentences made Cheng Ye realize how "fierce" the Eastern faction's vanguard was.

Unlike Zhou Changhai's cold, calculating nature.

Lin Bao's contempt for Westerners was visible to the naked eye, and his protective instinct toward Eastern faction inspectors was completely undisguised.

Moreover, according to Luo Xiaoxue's intelligence, Lin Bao was famously practical, only gradually getting involved in power struggles after being promoted to fifth-term inspector.

After all, at this position, power had reached the ceiling, and what remained to pursue was personal strength breakthroughs.

Early transcendence and step-by-step climbing to Happiness City's upper levels was the tacitly acknowledged unified goal of all fifth-term inspectors.

Entering the room, there was a large box piled on the ground.

Lin Bao nodded toward the box, and Cheng Ye had to reach out and open it.

Surprisingly, it didn't contain books but bags of vacuum-packed meat patties, each bag labeled 1kg, with an estimated fifty bags at least.

"Beef, the finest beef. I owe your father a big favor, this is the interest on that favor."

Lin Bao said straightforwardly without beating around the bush, "If you want me to repay you, fine. When you raise your banner, I'll back you up."

"Uncle Lin, you're too kind," Cheng Ye instinctively replied politely.

But unexpectedly, Lin Bao had no intention of engaging, waving his hand, "I've said my piece. If you can't handle it, consider that favor voided."

"Also."

His tone shifted, his eyes darkening, "Zhou Changhai isn't a good person. Don't get too close to him. It's good that you always remember you're a descendant of Easterners, but he's long forgotten what he really is."

After speaking, he turned and left, as efficiently as Lee Matteo.

At the door, he roared again.

"I told you to train, why are you running? I've already had the medical staff keep count. If you don't finish three thousand push-ups today, I'll break your legs and Harlin won't be able to say anything about it."

"Yes, yes, Inspector Lin."

Garcia lay on the ground, his voice carrying a sob.

Then came the sound of slapping, as Lin Bao harshly smacked Garcia's back twice before leaving with satisfaction.

Cheng Ye fighting fusion bodies, protecting residents, getting injured, and having the inspection station pay for treatment was perfectly justified.

But Garcia getting injured due to factional infighting, beaten by Liu Bi, internal conflicts wasting resources, in the eyes of old-school inspectors like Lin Bao, this money was spent purely wastefully.

When closing the door, Cheng Ye glanced down.

Good heavens, if looks could kill, Garcia would have killed him a thousand times over.

"Work hard, don't slack off. I'm counting too."

Under Garcia's malicious gaze, he chuckled and shut the door with a snap.

Hey, if I can't deal with you, at least I can annoy you!

6 PM.

Garcia finally barely finished three thousand push-ups, not daring to slack off on a single one.

Just as he gasped and slammed his door shut, the fifth-floor elevator slowly opened.

Knock.

The sound of knocking came.

"Little Kang?"

Cheng Ye opened the door and couldn't help but be startled.

Wang Kang was covered in footprints, his eye sockets bruised and swollen, the corner of his mouth torn and bleeding, looking like he had just come down from a boxing ring.

Big Dragon behind him looked embarrassed, rubbing his hands as he was about to explain.

But Wang Kang stiffened his neck and spoke first, his voice hoarse, "Brother Cheng, I want to train. Take me to train!"

"Good, very good!"

[NEXT CHAPTER]